Fitness in the new year

We haven't really made any formal new year's resolutions per se...but we are trying to continue being healthy and working out.  It's a real challenge for me being pregnant and trying to stay in shape.  This time around has been even more challenging (hello swelling, where did you come from?).  When I got pregnant with Avery in January '07, I was running an average of 25 miles a week.  I continued to jog until my 4th month, but really didn't keep working out the way I should have.  I packed on 50 lbs. during that pregnancy, mostly because my metabolism was so high from running and then crashed from not working out at all, the Wendy's fries and frosties I craved so bad in the last three months didn't help either.  After having Avery, and a c-section, I had a horrible time trying to get back to running.  My joints hurt so bad from all of the extra weight and it took me a long time to heal from my abdomen being sliced open and a baby pulled from it.  Needless to say, when I got pregnant again, I had not lost all of the weight from Avery.  It freaked me out because I didn't want to gain as much weight as I did with her on top of the weight I hadn't lost. Thankfully, this pregnancy, I was sicker in the first three months and haven't craved anything, yet anyway.  Sure, things sound good, but nothing I have to really have, and peanut butter (which I love) tastes so awful-I've tried every brand and it tastes so funny! So this pregnancy and this year I'm dedicated to working out as long as I can.  I'm 19 weeks and still jogging:)  When the belly gets too big for that I'll hit the elliptical, but for now the Dr. says I can run as long as it's comfortable.  To help, Artie is also working out and running regularly.  That way he's in shape to take care of 2 kids and he can help get me back in running form after the baby's born.  As extra help, Avery has also taken to the treadmill.  I'm hoping she enjoys running as much as mommy one day and we can do it together!!  We even put Rocco (our beagle) on the treadmill sometimes when he has too much energy!  We'll see how the workouts continue.  I tend to get frustrated when I can't run and don't do anything else.  This time, I think I learned my lesson from Avery, work out until the end and easy on the fries!  So here's to everyone finding time for themselves to workout a little in the new year.  It's good for your mind, body and soul!

Little Miss Avery and her first attempt at tackling the treadmill!  She knew what to do right away...don't worry she didn't go far, but she really liked it:)